Americans United - Greater Los Angeleshttps://www.au.org/chapters/greater-los-angeles
enAU Greater Los Angeles Chapter presents “Freedom of Religion vs. Separation of Church and State” by AU Senior Policy Analyst Rob Bostonhttps://www.au.org/get-involved/events/au-greater-los-angeles-chapter-presents-freedom-of-religion-vs-separation-of
<span class="field"><span class="date-display-single">June 3, 2013 at 7:00 pm</span></span><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><div style="margin:0;"><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Times New Roman,serif" size="3"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Address: Santa Monica Synagogue, 1448 18<font size="-1"><sup>th</sup></font> St., Santa Monica, Calif.</span></font></span></div><div style="margin:0;"><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Times New Roman,serif" size="3"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></font></span></div><div style="margin:0;"><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Times New Roman,serif" size="3"><span style="font-size:12pt;">AU Senior Policy Analyst Rob Boston will discuss efforts by Religious Right groups and the Catholic bishops to redefine religious freedom to give them the power to control other people’s moral decision-making. Boston will talk about how this affects issues like access to contraceptives, education and science. His talk will be followed by Q&amp;A.</span></font></span></div><div style="margin:0;"><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Times New Roman,serif" size="3"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></font></span></div><div style="margin:0;"><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font face="Times New Roman,serif" size="3"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Boston, who has worked at Americans United for 25 years and serves as assistant editor <i>Church &amp; State</i>, is the author of three books. His new book, tentatively titled <i>You’re Not the Boss of Me: Why Religious Freedom Doesn’t Give You the Right to Tell Other People What To Do</i>, will be published early in 2014. </span></font></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-chapter field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Host chapter:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/chapters/greater-los-angeles">Greater Los Angeles</a></div></div></div>Wed, 08 May 2013 22:37:13 +0000Timothy Ritz8352 at https://www.au.orghttps://www.au.org/get-involved/events/au-greater-los-angeles-chapter-presents-freedom-of-religion-vs-separation-of#commentsGreater Los Angeles Chapter event with David Niose - August 10https://www.au.org/get-involved/events/greater-los-angeles-chapter-event-with-david-niose-august-10
<span class="field"><span class="date-display-single">August 10, 2012 at 7:00 pm</span></span><span class="field field-name-field-address field-type-addressfield field-label-inline clearfix" ><span class="field-label">Address:&nbsp;</span><span class="field addressfield field-item" >2500 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA</span></span><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>The Greater Los Angeles Chapter presents<br /><br />Attorney &amp; Author David Niose on<br /><br />"The Rise of Secular Americans in the U.S."<br /><br />Friday, August 10, at 7:00 PM in Santa Monica<br /><br />Questions? Contact AU.LosAngeles@gmail.com <br /><br />David Niose, attorney, author of the popular Psychology Today blog, "Our Humanity, Naturally." and president of the American Humanist Association, will be speaking in Santa Monica on Friday, August 10 on his new book, Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans.<br /> <br />The number of Americans which identify as secular, atheist, agnostic, or simply non-religious has steadily risen over the past two decades from less than 5% in 1990 to 19% in 2012, representing the fastest-growing religious demographic in the US and the second-largest religious demographic after Catholics. David argues that much of that growth has been fueled as a response to the rising power of the religious Christian right in this country.<br /> <br />In his presentation, David will discuss the various secular groups now forming across America in opposition to that force, including their political goals, lobbying efforts, legal strategies, and outreach through advertising and education, and what they are intending to do to make the secular voice a gamechanger in American politics.<br /> <br />David will be speaking Friday, August 10 at 7pm at the Yahoo Center Community Room (Colorado Center), 2500 Broadway, in Santa Monica.<br /> <br />The event is co-sponsored with the Humanist Association of Los Angeles and the Southern California Community of Reason. This event is free and open to the public.<br /> <br />Questions? Contact Stuart Beckman at AU.LosAngeles@gmail.com</p></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-chapter field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Host chapter:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/chapters/greater-los-angeles">Greater Los Angeles</a></div></div></div>Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:05:10 +0000David Morris7419 at https://www.au.orghttps://www.au.org/get-involved/events/greater-los-angeles-chapter-event-with-david-niose-august-10#commentsGreater Los Angeles Chapter event with David Niose - August 9https://www.au.org/get-involved/events/greater-los-angeles-chapter-event-with-david-niose-august-9
<span class="field"><span class="date-display-single">August 9, 2012 at 7:00 pm</span></span><span class="field field-name-field-address field-type-addressfield field-label-inline clearfix" ><span class="field-label">Address:&nbsp;</span><span class="field addressfield field-item" >301 N. Orange Grove Ave., Pasadena, CA</span></span><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>The Greater Los Angeles Chapter presents<br /><br />Attorney &amp; Author David Niose on<br /><br />"The Rise of Secular Americans in the U.S."<br /><br />Thursday, August 9, at 7:00 PM in Pasadena<br /><br />Questions? Contact AU.LosAngeles@gmail.com <br /> <br />David Niose, attorney, author of the popular Psychology Today blog, "Our Humanity, Naturally." and president of the American Humanist Association, will be speaking in Pasadena on Thursday, August 9 on his new book, Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans.<br /> <br />The number of Americans which identify as secular, atheist, agnostic, or simply non-religious has steadily risen over the past two decades from less than 5% in 1990 to 19% in 2012, representing the fastest-growing religious demographic in the US and the second-largest religious demographic after Catholics. David argues that much of that growth has been fueled as a response to the rising power of the religious Christian right in this country.<br /> <br />In his presentation, David will discuss the various secular groups now forming across America in opposition to that force, including their political goals, lobbying efforts, legal strategies, and outreach through advertising and education, and what they are intending to do to make the secular voice a gamechanger in American politics.<br /> <br />David will be speaking Thursday, August 9 at the Neighborhood Unitarian-Universalist Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Ave., in Pasadena.<br /> <br />The event is co-sponsored with the Humanist Association of Los Angeles and the Southern California Community of Reason. This event is free and open to the public.<br /> <br />Questions? Contact Stuart Beckman at <a href="mailto:AU.LosAngeles@gmail.com">AU.LosAngeles@gmail.com</a></p></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-chapter field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Host chapter:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/chapters/greater-los-angeles">Greater Los Angeles</a></div></div></div>Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:02:35 +0000David Morris7418 at https://www.au.orghttps://www.au.org/get-involved/events/greater-los-angeles-chapter-event-with-david-niose-august-9#commentsGreater Los Angeles AU Hosts Attorney & Author David Niosehttps://www.au.org/blogs/in-the-field/greater-los-angeles-au-hosts-attorney-author-david-niose
<a href="/about/people/ms-elizabeth-corbin">Beth Corbin</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/in-the-field">In The Field</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-callout field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">The number of Americans which identify as secular, atheist, agnostic, or simply non-religious has steadily risen over the past two decades from less than 5% in 1990 to 19% in 2012 ...</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p> </p><div>David Niose will speak on "The Rise of Secular Americans in the U.S." at AU chapter events in Pasadena and Santa Monica on August 9 and 10. </div><div> </div><div>Niose, an attorney and author of the popular Psychology Today blog, "Our Humanity, Naturally," and president of the American Humanist Association, will be speaking in Pasadena on Thursday, August 9 and in Santa Monica on Friday, August 10 on his new book, <em>Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans</em>.</div><div> </div><div>The number of Americans which identify as secular, atheist, agnostic, or simply non-religious has steadily risen over the past two decades from less than 5% in 1990 to 19% in 2012, representing the fastest-growing religious demographic in the US and the second-largest religious demographic after Catholics. David argues that much of that growth has been fueled as a response to the rising power of the religious Christian right in this country.</div><div> </div><div>In his presentation, David will discuss the various secular groups now forming across America in opposition to that force, including their political goals, lobbying efforts, legal strategies, and outreach through advertising and education, and what they are intending to do to make the secular voice a gamechanger in American politics.</div><div> </div><div>David will be speaking Thursday, August 9 at the Neighborhood Unitarian-Universalist Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Ave., in Pasadena; and Friday, August 10 at 7pm at the Yahoo Center Community Room (Colorado Center), 2500 Broadway, in Santa Monica.</div><div> </div><div>The events are co-sponsored with the Humanist Association of Los Angeles and the Southern California Community of Reason. Both events are free, and open to the public.</div></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/other-issues-regarding-churches-and-politics">Other Issues regarding Churches and Politics</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/other-privacy-issues-including-end-of-life-matters-etc">Other Privacy Issues (including end-of-life matters, etc.)</a></span></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-chapter field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Chapters:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/chapters/greater-los-angeles">Greater Los Angeles</a></div></div></div>Thu, 02 Aug 2012 19:45:07 +0000Ms. Beth Corbin7414 at https://www.au.orghttps://www.au.org/blogs/in-the-field/greater-los-angeles-au-hosts-attorney-author-david-niose#commentsDisturbing Trends in the Separation of Church & State - An event hosted by Greater Los Angeles AUhttps://www.au.org/blogs/in-the-field/disturbing-trends-in-the-separation-of-church-state-an-event-hosted-by-greater
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/in-the-field">In The Field</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-callout field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">For more than 200 years, separating Church and State has been a resounding success in the USA ...</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p> </p><div>Greater Los Angeles AU invites you to learn about "Disturbing Trends in the Separation of Church &amp; State: How They Affect You and Your Children." The presentation by John Suarez, MD, will be followed by an an Interactive Discussion with Rabbi Jeffery Marx</div><div> </div><div>The event takes place tomorrow, Thursday, July 26, at 7:30 PM, at The Santa Monica Synagogue, 1448 18th Street (at Broadway), Santa Monica, CA 90404</div><div> </div><div>For more than 200 years, separating Church and State has been a resounding success in the USA and emulated in many modern democracies around the world. Yet challenges to the concept have been escalating at home:</div><ul><li>Governmental institutions are increasingly ignoring, even denouncing, the principle of Church-State Separation.</li><li>Favored religious groups are regularly granted special privileges and shielded by law from accountability.</li><li>Powerful and well-funded organizations are actively seeking to use the power of government to promote their ideologies – even in our public schools!</li></ul><div>Dr. Suarez, chair of Americans United for Separation of Church and State’s Education Committee, will review current hot-button issues and explore possible explanations behind these current threats.</div><div> </div><div>The event is co-sponsored by The Santa Monica Synagogue (http://www.TheSMS.org) and the Americans United for Separation of Church and State – Greater Los Angeles chapter (http://www.AU-LosAngeles.org). Don't miss it!</div></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/creationism-evolution">Creationism &amp; Evolution</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/school-prayer">School Prayer</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/bibles-and-religious-texts-curricula">Bibles and Religious Texts in Curricula</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/student-religious-clubs">Student Religious Clubs</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/prayer-at-government-events-and-legislative-meetings">Prayer at Government Events and Legislative Meetings</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/government-sponsored-religious-displays">Government-Sponsored Religious Displays</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/responding-common-attacks-church-state-separation">Responding to Common Attacks on Church-State Separation</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/chapter-event">chapter event</a></span></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-chapter field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Chapters:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/chapters/greater-los-angeles">Greater Los Angeles</a></div></div></div>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:32:53 +0000Ms. Beth Corbin7344 at https://www.au.orghttps://www.au.org/blogs/in-the-field/disturbing-trends-in-the-separation-of-church-state-an-event-hosted-by-greater#commentsSouthern California AU Chapters Hosting Rev. Steven Baines and Dr. John Suarezhttps://www.au.org/blogs/in-the-field/southern-california-au-chapters-hosting-rev-steven-baines-and-dr-john-suarez
<a href="/about/people/ms-elizabeth-corbin">Beth Corbin</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/in-the-field">In The Field</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-callout field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Rev. Steven Baines, Assistant Field Director for Religious Outreach, is speaking in San Diego, Orange County and Kern County, May 3 - 7. AU Board of Trustee member Dr. John Suarez speaking in Los Angeles area May 11 &amp; 12.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p> </p><div><strong>MAY 3</strong></div><div>Assistant Field Director for Religious Outreach Rev. Steven Baines makes four stops in Southern California. His first appearance is in <strong>San Diego</strong>, on Thursday, May 3, where Steven will take part in a gathering at Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial park, on the grounds near the base of the controversial 29 foot cross &lt;http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/americans-united-deplores-house-votes-promoting-religious-symbols-at-war&gt;. Steven will speak on "Crisis or Crossroads: Church State Separation in America." </div><div> </div><div>The event is from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, and area residents are invited to come hang out with their Americans United friends, and other supporters of church and state separation, on the large grass area below the cross. The group will enjoy a picnic dinner before the address by Rev. Baines. Like many of you reading this, Steven is watching the current political situation with great interest and is doing his best to encourage supporters of church-state separation to speak out. We need your voices now, more than ever! Please RSVP to chapter president Debbie Allen at allen.au@cox.net, so she can tell you about the dinner arrangements.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong>MAY 5</strong></div><div>The <strong>Orange County</strong> chapter’s May 5th event features Rev. Steven Baines, who will be speaking to the group about both the National Day of Prayer and the far more important ideas surrounding the First Amendment and the religious liberties granted to us in the Constitution. Steve will also be discussing the need for the strong wall of separation between church and state and the attacks on it by the religious right. </div><div> </div><div>Before coming to Americans United, Steven served as Director of Interfaith Outreach at both the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and People for the American Way. He has also served as Executive Director for Equal Partners in Faith, a national interfaith organization committed to fighting racism, sexism and homophobia. </div><div> </div><div>The event takes place on Saturday May 5th at 1:30 PM, at the Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, CA 92618. There is no charge for this event. Doors open at 1:00 for snacks and socializing; seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.</div><div> </div><div>On <strong>Sunday May 6th</strong> Steve Baines will be taking the pulpit at the First Congregational Church in Long Beach. Americans United will also be there at the post-service fellowship. The main entrance to the sanctuary is at the corner of Third and Cedar in Long Beach. Information on parking and direction is available on their web site http://www.firstchurchlb.org/</div><div> </div><div>You’ll find it a congregation of diverse ages and backgrounds, folks who are coupled and single, gay and straight, young and old. The style of the service is rather traditional, with robed clergy and choir, a processional and recessional.</div><div> </div><div>For more information on either event: Email us at OrangeCountyAU@yahoo.com or visit the Orange County AU web site at www.au-oc.org. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong>MAY 7</strong></div><div>Kern County AU will host Rev. Steven Baines on Monday, May 7, at the CSUB Student Union Multipurpose Room, 9001 Stockdale Hwy, in Bakersfield, CA 93311. Steven will speak on the topic "Crisis or Crossroads: Church-State Separation in America." The event is being co-sponsored by The Interfaith Student Alliance and the Institute for Religion, Education, and Public Policy at CSUB. </div><div> </div><div>For more info contact: Dr. Aaron Steenbergen, Interim Project Organizer AU-KC, at skytrain36@bak.rr.com .</div><div> </div><div>You won't want to miss this exciting event!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong>MAY 11 &amp; 12</strong></div><div>Mixing things up a bit, the <strong>Greater Los Angeles AU</strong> chapter is pleased to host Dr. John Suarez for two presentations of "Will the Wall Come Tumbling Down? An Updated Look at Church and State in America"</div><div> </div><div>Dr. Suarez is a National Americans United Board of Trustee member, and Chair of National AU's Education Committee. He will share his insight on the current assault against the First Amendment.</div><div> </div><div>The first of two events takes place on Friday, May 11, at 7:00 PM in Newbury Park at the Conejo Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, 3327 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320.</div><div> </div><div>On Saturday, May 12, at 2:00 PM in Studio City you can catch John at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Studio City, 12355 Moorpark St, Studio City, CA 91604. </div><div> </div><div>Contact Stuart Bechman, AU-GLA Chapter Chair, at AU.LosAngeles@gmail.com if you have any questions. You won't want to miss John's informative presentation!</div></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/prayer-at-government-events-and-legislative-meetings">Prayer at Government Events and Legislative Meetings</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/government-sponsored-religious-displays">Government-Sponsored Religious Displays</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/responding-common-attacks-church-state-separation">Responding to Common Attacks on Church-State Separation</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/chapter-event">chapter event</a></span></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-chapter field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Chapters:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/chapters/greater-los-angeles">Greater Los Angeles</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/chapters/kern-county">Kern County</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/chapters/orange-county">Orange County</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/chapters/san-diego">San Diego</a></div></div></div>Wed, 02 May 2012 16:43:23 +0000Ms. Beth Corbin7055 at https://www.au.orghttps://www.au.org/blogs/in-the-field/southern-california-au-chapters-hosting-rev-steven-baines-and-dr-john-suarez#commentsGreater Los Angeles Chapter Studio City Event with Dr. John Suarez - May 12https://www.au.org/get-involved/events/greater-los-angeles-chapter-studio-city-event-with-dr-john-suarez-may-12
<span class="field"><span class="date-display-single">May 12, 2012 at 2:00 pm</span></span><span class="field field-name-field-address field-type-addressfield field-label-inline clearfix" ><span class="field-label">Address:&nbsp;</span><span class="field addressfield field-item" >12355 Moorpark St., Studio City, CA</span></span><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>Will the Wall Come Tumbling Down?<br />An Updated Look at Church and State in America<br /><br />featuring<br /><br />Dr. John Suarez<br />National AU Trustee and Education Committee Chair<br /><br />Saturday, May 12<br />2:00pm<br />Unitarian-Universalist Church of Studio City<br />12355 Moorpark St.<br />Studio City<br /><br />To recieve notices about upcoming events and activities, please visit our web site at <a href="http://www.AU-LosAngeles.org">www.AU-LosAngeles.org</a> and provide us with your email address! Or send it to us at <a href="mailto:AU.LosAngeles@gmail.com">AU.LosAngeles@gmail.com</a>.</p></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-chapter field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Host chapter:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/chapters/greater-los-angeles">Greater Los Angeles</a></div></div></div>Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:59:59 +0000David Morris6979 at https://www.au.orghttps://www.au.org/get-involved/events/greater-los-angeles-chapter-studio-city-event-with-dr-john-suarez-may-12#commentsGreater Los Angeles Chapter Newbury Park Event with Dr. John Suarez - May 11https://www.au.org/get-involved/events/greater-los-angeles-chapter-newbury-park-event-with-dr-john-suarez-may-11
<span class="field"><span class="date-display-single">May 11, 2012 at 7:00 pm</span></span><span class="field field-name-field-address field-type-addressfield field-label-inline clearfix" ><span class="field-label">Address:&nbsp;</span><span class="field addressfield field-item" >3327 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park, CA</span></span><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>Will the Wall Come Tumbling Down?<br />An Updated Look at Church and State in America</p><p>featuring</p><p>Dr. John Suarez<br />National AU Trustee and Education Committee Chair</p><p>Friday, May 11<br />7:00pm<br />Conejo Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship<br />3327 Old Conejo Road<br />Newbury Park</p><p>To recieve notices about upcoming events and activities, please visit our web site at <a href="http://www.AU-LosAngeles.org">www.AU-LosAngeles.org</a> and provide us with your email address! Or send it to us at <a href="mailto:AU.LosAngeles@gmail.com">AU.LosAngeles@gmail.com</a>.</p></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-chapter field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Host chapter:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/chapters/greater-los-angeles">Greater Los Angeles</a></div></div></div>Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:56:20 +0000David Morris6978 at https://www.au.orghttps://www.au.org/get-involved/events/greater-los-angeles-chapter-newbury-park-event-with-dr-john-suarez-may-11#commentsSouthern California AU Chapters Host Author Katherine Stewarthttps://www.au.org/blogs/in-the-field/southern-california-au-chapters-host-author-katherine-stewart
<a href="/about/people/ms-elizabeth-corbin">Beth Corbin</a><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blogs/in-the-field">In The Field</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-callout field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">&quot;Everywhere, she discovers religion-driven programs inserting themselves into public school systems with unprecedented force...&quot;</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><p>Katherine Stewart, author of “<strong>The Good News Club: The Christian Right’s Stealth Assault on America’s Children</strong>”, is the featured speaker at a number of AU chapter events in Southern California. </p><p>In her book, Stewart sets out on an investigative journey to uncover the effect the Good News Clubs and similar initiatives have on our schools, children, and communities. Everywhere, she discovers religion-driven programs inserting themselves into public school systems with unprecedented force and unexpected consequences. Katherine Stewart has written for in The New York Times, Reuters, and Marie Claire. She lives with her family in New York City.</p><p>You won't want to miss her informative presentation:</p><p><strong>Saturday, March 3</strong>, at 1:30 PM, Orange County (CA) AU hosts Stewart at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, CA.</p><p><strong>Sunday, March 4</strong>, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, the San Diego AU Chapter event takes place at Balboa Park Club in Balboa Park, 2144 Pan American Road W, San Diego, CA 92101.</p><p>The Greater Los Angeles AU Chapter is hosting three events, beginning:</p><p><strong>Tuesday, March 6</strong> at 8:30 PM at the Santa Monica Unitarian-Universalist Community Church, 1260 18th Street (18th &amp; Arizone), Santa Monica, CA 90404;</p><p><strong>Wednesday, March 7</strong> at 7:30 PM at Heretic House* in the Angelino Heights neighborhood overlooking downtown Los Angeles; and</p><p><strong>Thursday, March 8</strong> at 6:30 PM at Oxnard Public Library (in Ventura County), 251 South A St., Oxnard, CA 93030.</p><p><em>*Note: The Heretic House event has limited seating, so please contact the chapter at <a href="mailto:AU.LosAngeles@gmail.com">AU.LosAngeles@gmail.com</a> or call 805-405-3929 for reservations and directions.</em></p><p>The events are free and open to the public!</p></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/religious-distributions-events-and-evangelism-during-school-day">Religious Distributions, Events and Evangelism during the School Day</a></span>, <span class="field-item"><a href="/issues/descriptions-and-activities-religious-right-groups">Descriptions and Activities of Religious Right Groups</a></span></div></div><div class="tags clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><span class="field-item"><a href="/tags/chapter-event">chapter event</a></span></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-chapter field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Chapters:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/chapters/greater-los-angeles">Greater Los Angeles</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/chapters/orange-county">Orange County</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/chapters/san-diego">San Diego</a></div></div></div>Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:50:52 +0000Ms. Beth Corbin6841 at https://www.au.orghttps://www.au.org/blogs/in-the-field/southern-california-au-chapters-host-author-katherine-stewart#commentsGreater Los Angeles Chapter Event (Ventura County Section) featuring Jason Torpy - February 1https://www.au.org/get-involved/events/greater-los-angeles-chapter-event-ventura-county-section-featuring-jason-torpy
<span class="field"><span class="date-display-single">February 1, 2012 at 7:00 pm</span></span><span class="field field-name-field-address field-type-addressfield field-label-inline clearfix" ><span class="field-label">Address:&nbsp;</span><span class="field addressfield field-item" >3327 Old Conejo Road, Newvury Park, CA</span></span><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="prose"><h3>Jason Torpy: Collaboration vs. Litigation: Reforming America's Military</h3><p><img alt="Jason Torpy" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.au-oc.org/i/Jason%20Torpy.jpg" /></p><h3>Wednesday, February 1st at 7:00 pm in VENTURA COUNTY: Conejo Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship Church, 3327 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park</h3><p>The Greater Los Angeles chapter of Americans United will be hosting Jason Torpy, president of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF) for a special presentation of struggles of atheists and humanists for equal treatment in the face of religious bias in the US military at 7pm on Wednesday, February 1 at the Conejo Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship church in Ventura County.<br /><br />Jason represents thousands of service members through MAAF. The organization helps atheists and humanists in the military build community while teaching leaders on how to avoid the appearance of special privileges for religion. MAAF has help to set up over 20 local communities on military installations and ships all over the world and in all branches of service. In coalition with groups such as MRFF, AH, and the ACLU, MAAF serves a key role in building community and rolling back the tide of proselytism of our military.<br /><br />Jason Torpy enlisted in the Army in 1994 as an Intelligence Interceptor. After earning top graduate honors from two intelligence training programs, he was offered direct admission to the United States Military Academy. Upon graduation, Mr. Torpy was commissioned as an officer and served for five years in Germany, Kuwait, and Iraq with the Army's 1st Armored Division. He left the service in 2005 at the rank of Captain to pursue an MBA. He now serves as the President of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF), a civil rights and community organization supporting atheists and humanists in the military.<br /><br />MAAF has been working directly with AF Academy officials, and long-term abuses are now being replaced by training on Free Exercise as well as Establishment Clause protections. Over 100 military chaplain endorsers have heard our needs and understand they have a responsibility to all service members, including nontheists. More importantly, they know how. The failures of the military's Spiritual Fitness have been exposed, but they continue to expand. Learn at this event how a growing secular community is rising in opposition to an entrenched evangelical community.<br /><br />Americans United Greater Los Angeles chapter<br /><a href="http://www.au-losangeles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.AU-LosAngeles.blogspot.com</a><br /><a href="http://au.losangeles.gmail.com/" target="_blank">AU.LosAngeles.gmail.com</a><br /><br /><br /> </p></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-chapter field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Host chapter:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/chapters/greater-los-angeles">Greater Los Angeles</a></div></div></div>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:49:57 +0000David Morris6700 at https://www.au.orghttps://www.au.org/get-involved/events/greater-los-angeles-chapter-event-ventura-county-section-featuring-jason-torpy#comments